What is energy poverty 

Energy poverty is the situation in which a household finds itself in which the basic needs for energy supplies cannot be met as a result of an insufficient level of income and which, where appropriate, may be aggravated by having a home. energy inefficient.

9 out of every 100 people are very far from reaching the temperature of between 18 and 22 degrees recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in a home in winter and 25 degrees in summer.

There is an official definition for energy poverty and another much more direct, cruder one. The first speaks of the situation in which a home finds itself in which the basic needs for energy supplies cannot be satisfied, as a consequence of an insufficient level of income, and which can be aggravated by having an inefficient home from the energy point of view. The second does not mince words and involves having to choose: eating an adequate diet or heating the home.

According to the latest data we see, energy poverty related to the ability of households to maintain an adequate temperature in the home affects most of the population in the world. That is, 9 out of every 100 people are very far from reaching the temperature of between 18 and 22 degrees that the World Health Organization recommends in a home in winter and 25 degrees in summer. The pandemic has worsened the situation and the forecast is that from 2021 to today, the number of families already having difficulties in paying their electricity, water or gas bills will continue to increase.

Food or heating. Shower every three days. Living in fear of having your water or gas cut off. Not going to a job interview because you don't feel worthy because you haven't been able to do the laundry... These are real examples. It is the daily life of energy poverty, one of the many faces that poverty takes on in several countries around the world.

The direct consequences of energy poverty primarily affect people's health. Living in a house with low temperatures or humidity for a long time is related to the development of physical and mental illnesses, which especially harm babies, adolescents and the elderly. There are also other indirect consequences related to social aspects such as work absenteeism, well-being or educational performance.